1. It is the view of both the UK Internet community and Nominet that applications should appropriately respect the stability of the Internet (in accordance with paragraphs B1 to B5 above) and also should be assessed on a transparent, objective and non-discriminatory basis. Specifically the following principles will apply:
a) applications will be chosen on a merit basis by independent assessment in accordance with the SLD Procedure;
b) applications will be subject to open competition;
c) competitive applications will be subject to public consultation;
d) applications will be assessed in the light of quality, efficiency, reliability and the maintenance of the stability of the Internet;
e) Nominet itself will be subject to the SLD Policy and to the SLD Procedure and, should it choose to make an application, it will apply on the same basis, and be subject to the same criteria as, other applicants; and
f) applications will attract a fee calculated on a full cost-recovery basis.
2. In assessing applications, the Panel will have discretion as to what weight to give the different criteria set out in this Policy, and will also have regard to consultation responses. All applications must demonstrate to the Panel's satisfaction that the proposed SLD meets the criteria set out at B1-B5. The Panel must also be satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated that it is capable of running the SLD in a fair and efficient manner, has procured firm commitments for all necessary resources, and has demonstrated sensible and realistic operational, technical, financial, business, marketing and legal plans. The Panel will take reasonable steps to verify any claims or matters on which the Panel bases its decision, and applications should therefore be presented in a manner that enables the Panel to verify claims made in it. The criteria set out below are non-exhaustive and are primarily intended to assist applicants and Panellists alike in preparing or assessing applications. The Panel will have discretion as to what relative weight to give the different criteria in each case. The Panel will give due regard to the qualifications and relevant experience of the applicants (and proposed staff).
1. Applicants must set out comprehensive operational plans to describe the processes and services offered by applicants themselves and/or where appropriate third parties to ensure the quality, efficiency, reliability and accessibility of the operation and management of the proposed SLD. Such operational plans should include (but need not be limited to) the following aspects:
a) every aspect of registration and renewal, including outline rules for the SLD, the length of registration periods, methods of registration whether electronic or manual, the registration policy whether first come first served or otherwise, the extent of any pre-vetting of applications and how the registration policy is to be applied in an objective and fair manner;
b) every aspect of the transfer and cancellation of domain names within the proposed SLD;
c) invoicing and debt recovery;
d) a detailed description of the proposed structure for how registrations will be made, for example whether through registration agents or otherwise. If a system of registration agents (or equivalent) is proposed, the application should describe in outline the contractual arrangements, how registration agents join or are accepted and details of how registrants who wish to do so may move domain names from one registration agent (see paragraph F1) to another;
e) a detailed description of the policy and methods for allocating domain names in a fair and timely manner during any start-up period;
f) disaster recovery procedures to respond to any form of failure, whether or not limited to failure of the proposed SLD;
g) the possible existence of alternative registry operations in the event of business failure of the applicant. This is not a requirement necessarily to identify an alternative registry operator, but is a requirement at least to be in a position to transfer operation of all processes involved in the applicant's operation of the proposed SLD, and to communicate with and support its customers and/or all relevant stakeholders during any period of transition;
h) regular testing (preferably by an external party) of (a) the applicant's current processes, (b) disaster recovery procedures and (c) possible alternative registry operations in the event of business failure of the applicant;
i) responding to future potential changes in Internet protocol or other relevant developments;
j) processes for discouraging excessive duplicative or defensive registrations in the event of future increased proliferation of other SLDs or Top Level Domains; and
k) other relevant or diversified services, which may include (in the case of closed SLDs) services tailored to any relevant specific Internet community under paragraph F4 below.
2. The applicant must demonstrate strong and sound technical ability, and the application must set out satisfactory provision for each of the following:
a) the continued, correct and unimpaired operation of the SLD by the applicant (if successful);
b) minimisation of unscheduled outages of registry or registration systems due to technical failures or malicious activity of others;
c) ensuring consistent compliance with technical requirements in the operation of the SLD;
d) an analysis of the effect of the new SLD on the operation and performance of the DNS in general and the root-server and UK name server systems in particular;
e) measures to promote rapid correction of any technical difficulties that occur (whether or not due to the SLD's operation), such as availability of accurate, consistent, and helpful Whois information; and
f) provisions for orderly and reliable allocation of domain names during the initial period of the SLD's operation.